Receivers coach probably Fisch...Broncos first talked to Rod Smith

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Receivers coach probably Fisch
By The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 11:17:15 PM MST


The Broncos appear to have the last major piece of their coaching staff in place.

According to several sources, the team is close to officially naming Jedd Fisch the receivers coach. Fisch, 32, spent the last four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He was the assistant quarterbacks coach last year with the Ravens. He also coached with the Houston Texans and the University of Florida.

Fisch is poised to take over for Jeremy Bates, who will be the Broncos' passing game coordinator. Bates coached the receivers and quarterbacks last season. With the departure of Mike Heimerdinger, who went to Tennessee last month, Bates will remain as coach of the quarterbacks.

The Broncos originally talked to Rod Smith about the job but he is expected to remain as a consultant should he decide to stay on the retired list after two hip surgeries in the past month.

Fisch was one of four interviewed for the job.

Talking tenders.

The Broncos tendered their restricted free agents Tuesday. And they might be considered risky. Cornerbacks Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah and safety Hamza Abdullah all received low tenders. Translation: If a team offers a player a contract and Denver doesn't match in the allotted week, the Broncos would get a compensating draft pick in the corresponding round where the player was drafted. Denver would get third-rounders for Foxworth and Paymah and a seventh-round choice for Abdullah. Offensive lineman Chris Myers said he believed he was going to receive a low tender as well. He was a sixth-round draft pick.

Foxworth could get interest from teams such as Philadelphia, Kansas City and Detroit. There is a possibility Foxworth could be part of trade talks with the Lions should the Shaun Rogers trade discussions continue this week. The Broncos are exploring the idea and Rogers likely will be dealt by this weekend.

The Broncos were talking about a contract extension with Abdullah until Monday night. With

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Abdullah getting such a low tender, some teams may be tempted to make a move for him. Abdullah finished the 2007 season as a starter.
Denver is thin at safety and will look to improve there in free agency. Among the players Denver likely will consider are Gibril Wilson of the Giants, Madieu Williams of the Bengals and Marquand Manuel of the Panthers. The Broncos remain in talks with veteran safety John Lynch.

Footnotes.

With free agency beginning Friday, the Broncos and kicker Jason Elam still hope to finalize a deal. But no new progress has been made. . . . The Broncos have considered defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who is being shopped by the New York Jets, but are hesitating because he will command a large contract. But if Rogers or Robertson comes cheaply, Denver may be in the mix.

Bill Williamson, The Denver Post

[-Slap-]

People will be disappointed about Rod, but I don't think it's necessarily a good thing for a player to become a coach with the same team immediately after he retires.

[Crushaholic]

Abdullah receiving a low tender really surprises me. Based on his improving play, I would say that he SHOULD be a good fit with the Broncos for the next few years...

[bowtown]

Abdullah receiving a low tender really surprises me. Based on his improving play, I would say that he SHOULD be a good fit with the Broncos for the next few years...

It doesn't surprise me, it tells me that they would like to have another inexpensive year of evaluation with him before they decide he is going to be the future at safety, or at least the right to match any offers. Considering that Abdullah was pretty hit or miss in his action as a starter, I think it's a wise move.

[montrose]

Abdullah receiving a low tender really surprises me. Based on his improving play, I would say that he SHOULD be a good fit with the Broncos for the next few years...

They were talking about a long term deal but I'm going to guess they were far apart on the terms. It's somewhat of a gamble bringing him back at a one year tender, if he continues to improve and shows he's a solid starter - the Broncos may have to overpay to keep him. But that may be better than giving him a bigger deal now and then he isn't what they hoped for.

[2KBack]

Abdullah gets a bad rap around here for one really glaring missed tackle, overall he was more than solid and should improve with more experience.

As for the new recievers coach. It'll be nice to have Denver recievers feared like those Raven ones are.

[Kaylore]

I'd love for someone to take one of our corners and get our third back. Do it Millen!

[cabronco]

Abdullah receiving a low tender really surprises me. Based on his improving play, I would say that he SHOULD be a good fit with the Broncos for the next few years...

Ya I was really surprised see that too, especially being stretched thin at Safety and nothing concrete with Lynch coming back which would probably be limited playing time. Makes me think they are going to push hard at a free agent safety.

[cabronco]

I'd love for someone to take one of our corners and get our third back. Do it Millen!

I'd send Foxworth in a heart beat. We could really use a 3rd this year with all our needs.

[Broncoman13]

Abdullah receiving a low tender really surprises me. Based on his improving play, I would say that he SHOULD be a good fit with the Broncos for the next few years...

Doesn't suprise me. None of them do really. In fact, I'd bet they're hoping somebody will offer Foxworth some good coin. They'd gladly take a 3rd for him (IMO). I bet they'd keep Paymah though.

As for Hamza, the Broncos are basically gambling that they can keep him for less than $1m this season. If somebody swoops in and offers him 4 years and $8mil they have the option to match that (but I doubt they would). They are allowing somebody else to determine his worth. Being that a team woiuld only give up a 7th round pick and the thin crop of Safeties in FA this year, I think it's possible the Broncos will end up having to match a contract offer to him. I'm guessing somebody will offer him a 3 year deal worth about $5mil and we will match that, IMO.

[Beantown Bronco]

Ya I was really surprised see that too, especially being stretched thin at Safety and nothing concrete with Lynch coming back which would probably be limited playing time. Makes me think they are going to push hard at a free agent safety.

I'm guessing they bring Eugene Wilson in for a look soon after FA opens up.

[Atlas]

Abdullah gets a bad rap around here for one really glaring missed tackle, overall he was more than solid and should improve with more experience.
.

I have no idea what missed tackle your talking about, but I know he isn't a great tackler and he isn't great in coverage. He isn't a quality starter. That doesn't mean he isn't a good person to have on the team it's just that he is better playing 20 snaps than 60 snaps. IMO

[2KBack]

I have no idea what missed tackle your talking about, but I know he isn't a great tackler and he isn't great in coverage. He isn't a quality starter. That doesn't mean he isn't a good person to have on the team it's just that he is better playing 20 snaps than 60 snaps. IMO

I disagree. He has good range and always seems to be around the ball. He whiffed terribly on a back in one of the later games, which led to everyone concluding that he is a poor tackler. Hell, if it wasn't for the stupid officials, He would have sewn up the chicago game all by himself with the forced fumble and return.

I know you don't agree, but I think he'll be a consistant playmaker.

[eddie mac]

I'd love for someone to take one of our corners and get our third back. Do it Millen!

The Post is hinting that Foxworth is involved in any move for Rogers.

[RaiderH8r]

I think Rod has earned the right to decide which way he wants to go with his future with this club. I'm glad he's open to staying involved with the team, he's an asset to this club in whatever capacity he chooses. A "consultant" may be just the role he needs....if by consultant you mean embodiment of work ethic, talent, class, and dignity for all to see and emulate, yes consultant is perfect.

[cutthemdown]

This board always picks a couple players that are average and pumps them up like they are starters. Abdullah is one of those players. If you watch him tackle you can see he doesn't strike fear into any wr, is avg supporting the run, takes poor angles, and doesn't have much pop in his hit when he does make it. If some team signs him for anything more then bkup money then Broncos should let him go and take the 7th round pick.

[Paladin]

I'd love for someone to take one of our corners and get our third back. Do it Millen!

How about Bly and a 7th for Rogers?









I kid......

[bowtown]

How about Bly and a 7th for Rogers?









I kid......

I was thinking maybe we could resign Bell right now, and Foster once he is cut, and just package them.

[ward63]

I was thinking maybe we could resign Bell right now, and Foster once he is cut, and just package them.

Just like trading willie middlebust and resigning him?

[Dudeskey]

Just like trading willie middlebust and resigning him?

that one cracked me up... especially when he was later waived by the 9ers before opening day

[montrose]

Fisch has been officially hired as WR coach per a text message from the Broncos.

[cabronco]

This board always picks a couple players that are average and pumps them up like they are starters. Abdullah is one of those players. If you watch him tackle you can see he doesn't strike fear into any wr, is avg supporting the run, takes poor angles, and doesn't have much pop in his hit when he does make it. If some team signs him for anything more then bkup money then Broncos should let him go and take the 7th round pick.

I think last year he finally got some time on the field. I wouldnt pimp him as a starter at this point, but I wouldnt toss him away for a 7th either. I thought he played fairly well with a few exceptions, and an abvious whiff on a tackle. Im tired of the Foxworth shuffle and I think we cant afford to lose Abdullah at this point and time. I do think he has good range and I did see him deliver a few good hits last year. I think Shanahan will look at whatever may be offered for him, compared to what it will take to bring in a solid free agent safety.

[NFLBRONCO]

Ravens passing game was soo powerful last few years I'm glad we hired this guy.

[bowtown]

Ravens passing game was soo powerful last few years I'm glad we hired this guy.

A team's overall passing game has absloutely nothing to do with how good their assistant QB coach is.

He's a young guy, 32, seems hungry and hopefully brings some fresh ideas... why does Shanhan ALWAYS insist on bringing in these "cronies?" Uhh

[Paladin]

I thought the Ravens' poor passing game was due to poor QB play.... (?)

Fisch comes to a place where they have a QB who can throw the ball. He and Little Bates have a chance to develop a powerhouse passing game.....

[gunns]

Why do I feel along the lines of what I did when they brought in the vaunted Cleveland coaches?

[orinjkrush]

tired of the Florida incest. narcissism is one thing but shanny's coaching tree looks like a Appalachia hoedown.

[lookin' glass]

For some reason I thought Steve Watson was the receivers coach.?.

[montrose]

Judd Fisch... I would've preferred Judd Nelson

http://www.the-means.com/images/juddnelson.jpg
"It's wrong to destroy the playbook. Its so fun to read. And Shanahan really pumps my kn**s."

[Kaylore]

For some reason I thought Steve Watson was the receivers coach.?.

He was moved to an administrative role last season.